Archive for
March 15th, 2012

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Jonny Flynn, center Hasheem Thabeet and a second round pick from Houston in exchange for center Marcus Camby, it was announced today.

The second round pick is Minnesota’s selection, acquired by the Rockets in a trade last season.

“We’re looking forward to what Jonny and Thabeet can bring to our team at two positions we can use help at and we’ve added an additional asset with the second-round draft pick,” said Blazers Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan . “We appreciate Marcus’s contributions over the past three seasons and we wish him the best for the future.”

Flynn, 23, has career averages of 9.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists in three seasons with Minnesota and Houston. The sixth overall selection out of Syracuse in the 2009 NBA Draft, Flynn was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2010.

In 120 games over three seasons with Memphis and Houston, Thabeet, 25, has career averages of 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 10.7 minutes. A native of Tanzania, Thabeet was selected by Memphis with the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. At 7-3, he is the tallest player in theNBA.

Camby, 37, is averaging 3.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.40 blocks in 40 games with the Trail Blazers this season. Acquired by the Trail Blazers in a 2010 trade deadline move, Camby holds career averages of 9.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.46 blocked shots in 16 seasons with Toronto, New York, Denver, the L.A. Clippers and Portland.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired Nene (neh-NAY), forward Brian Cook and a 2015 second-round pick (from the Los Angeles Clippers via the New Orleans Hornets) in a three-team trade with the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Wizards traded centers JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf to the Nuggets and guard Nick Young to the Clippers.

In his 10th NBA season, Nene has averaged 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 555 career games (451 starts) with Denver. The 29-year-old Brazilian is averaging 13.4 points,7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals this season. His best season came in 2008-2009 after returning from a bout with testicular cancer. During that year, he averaged career highs of 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.31 blocks.

The 6-11, 250-pound forward/center has posted 79 double-doubles in his career. He holds the second-highest career field goal percentage (.560) in Nuggets’ history and led the NBA in field goal percentage shooting (.615) in 2010-2011. Nene has appeared in the postseason with the Nuggets six times, averaging 10.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in 44 games (36 starts). In 2009, Nene helped lead Denver to the Western Conference Finals while averaging 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 16 postseason games.

“Nene is a versatile player who will bring experience and a physical presence to our frontcourt,” said Grunfeld. “He is a strong rebounder, tough defender and a fierce competitor. His veteran leadership and postseason experience will be a positive influence in our locker room.”

Nene originally entered the NBA in 2002 as a first round draft pick (7 th overall) of the New York Knicks and was traded on draft night to the Denver Nuggets. In his first year,Nene earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors while averaging 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. In addition, Nene played for the Brazilian National Team in the 2007 FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament and helped Brazil secure a Bronze medal in the 2001 Goodwill Games.

In his ninth NBA season, Cook has averaged 5.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 405 career games (74 starts). Cook has played with five NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers (2003-08), Orlando (2007-09), Houston (2009-10) and the Los Angeles Clippers (2010-2012). He was originally selected by the Lakers in the first round (24 th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft.

McGee, 7-0, 252, has appeared in 41 games (40 starts) this season, averaging career-highs with 11.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg and 2.46 bpg in 27.4 minutes. The big man’s 2.46 blocks ranks 2nd in the NBA, while his .535 field goal percentage ranks 9th in the league.

The 24-year-old McGee has appeared in 255 career games (148 starts) over four seasons with Washington, averaging 8.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 1.84 bpg. The University of Nevada-Reno product was drafted by the Washington Wizards with the 18th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Young has tallied 16.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 30.3 minutes in 40 games played so far this season, connecting on 41% of his field goal attempts, 37% of his three-point field goal attempts and 86% of his attempts from the free throw line.

In his 5th NBA season, Young returns to Los Angeles where he starred for the University of Southern California from 2004-2007. He carries career averages of 11.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 22.9 minutes per game.

The Wizards made Young the 16th overall selection in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft after he led USC to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2007 NCAA Tournament and was named First Team All-Pac Ten in both 2006 and 2007.

Turiaf, acquired by Washington via trade from the New York Knicks on December 10,2011, appeared in just four games before fracturing his hand against Boston on January 1, 2012. He has averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 362 career games (90 starts).

The New Jersey Nets have acquired forward Gerald Wallace from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for center Mehmet Okur, forward Shawne Williams and the Nets’ 2012 protected first round draft pick, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

“We are excited to add Gerald’s experience and toughness at the small forward position,” said King. “His leadership and defensive prowess will be assets to our team going forward.”

“This trade was very compelling to us because not only does it give us more flexibility in free agency, but we also acquire a very attractive first-round draft pick,” said Trail Blazers’ Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. “I’d like to thank Gerald, Greg and Chris for all they’ve done for the franchise and hope for nothing but the best for them and their futures.”

The draft pick is top-three protected, meaning the Trail Blazers will own the pick in 2012 as long as it is not in the top three of the NBA Draft.

Okur, 32, has averages of 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 29.1 minutes in 10 NBA seasons with Detroit, Utah and New Jersey. An NBA All-Star in 2007 and a native of Turkey, Okur has appeared in 17 games for the Nets this season, averaging 7.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Williams, 26, has posted career averages of 5.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in parts of five seasons with Indiana, Dallas, New York and New Jersey. He has played in 25 games for New Jersey this season, averaging 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds.

Wallace, a 2010 NBA All-Star, comes to the Nets after making 42 starts for the Blazers this season and posting averages of 13.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The 6-7 forward was selected by Sacramento in the first round (25th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft out of the University of Alabama and spent his first three NBA seasons with the Kings. He then began a seven-year stint with Charlotte after being selected by the Bobcats in the NBA Expansion Draft in 2004. Wallace enjoyed his best seasons in Charlotte in 2007-08, when he averaged a career- high 19.4 points per game and in 2009-10, with averages of 18.2 points and a career-best 10.0 rebounds, earning him NBA All-Star honors as well as a place on the NBA’s All Defensive First Team. Midway through the 2010-11 season, Wallace was traded to Portland, where he played parts of three seasons. Currently in his 11th NBA season, Wallace has played in a total of 657 games and holds career averages of 13.4 points on .475 shooting and 6.3 rebounds per game. Wallace has helped his teams reach the playoffs on five occasions and lists postseason averages of 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 25 games.

Okur, who was acquired from Utah on December 22, 2011, played in 17 games for the Nets this season, with averages of 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game. He missed a total of 27 games this season with a sore lower back. The 10-year NBA veteran from Turkey holds career averages of 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in 634 NBA games with Detroit, Utah and New Jersey.

Williams, who signed with the Nets as a free agent on December 15, 2011, played in 25 games for the Nets this season, with averages of 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game. He has missed a total of 19 games due to injury and underwent season ending left foot surgery on February 22. The five-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 5.7 points and 2.8 rebounds over 215 games with Indiana, Dallas, New York and New Jersey.

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Jordan Hill from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Derek Fisher, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. In addition, Houston will receive the Dallas Mavericks’ protected first round selection in the 2012 NBA Draft that was acquired by the Lakers earlier this season in exchange for Lamar Odom.

A 6-10 forward/center in his third year out of the University Arizona, Hill was originally selected by the New York Knicks with the eighth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Acquired by Houston as part of a three-team, nine-player trade midway through his rookie campaign, Hill has appeared in 151 career NBA games (18 starts) with the Knicks and Rockets, averaging 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 14.7 minutes.

Following a junior season at Arizona in which he averaged 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds and was named Third Team All-America by the Sporting News, Hill declared for the NBA Draft, leaving the Wildcats ranked among the school’s career leaders in points (27th/1,208), rebounds (10th/763), blocks (6th/140) and field goal percentage (.578).

In 32 games (7 starts) with the Rockets this season, Hill is averaging 5.0 points on 50.4 percent shooting from the field and 4.8 rebounds in 14.7 minutes.

Fisher, a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers, ranks among franchise leaders in games played (5th/915), steals (7th/968), three-point field goals made (2nd/846) and three-point field goal percentage (2nd/.375). Becoming just the 308th player in NBA history to score 10,000 career points on March 13 at Memphis, Fisher has played in 538 consecutive NBA games including 416 consecutive starts, both tops among all active players.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Derek for everything he has meant to this organization over the years,” said Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss. “Few who have worn the Lakers uniform have done so with as much class as Derek, both on the court and in the community. From his famous 0.4 shot in San Antonio to his clutch performances in the Finals against Orlando and Boston when it mattered most, Derek will always hold a special place not only in my heart, but in the heart of Lakers fans everywhere.”

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have obtained forward Stephen Jackson from the Golden State Warriors. In exchange, San Antonio sent Richard Jefferson, T.J. Ford and a protected 2012 first round draft pick to the Warriors.

The 6-8, 220-pound Jackson spent two seasons (2001-03) in San Antonio and was a part of the 2003 NBA Championship team. In his two seasons with the Silver and Black, Jackson averaged 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.36 steals in 24.1 minutes. During the Spurs 2003 championship run, Jackson started all 24 games, averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.38 steals in 33.8 minutes.

Jackson, 33, started the 2011-12 season with the Milwaukee Bucks, before being traded to Golden State on March 13. In 26 games with the Bucks, Jackson averaged 10.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 27.4 minutes.

“We’ve been aggressive in the last 48 hours and feel this is another transaction that will benefit our team, both now and in the future,” said General Manager Larry Riley. “Richard Jefferson has played a key role and has been a solid contributor on some very successful basketball teams during his career. He has won a lot of games and will certainly provide our team with some veteran leadership and perimeter shooting skills. Additionally, as has been well-documented, we are in an unknown position in regards to our first round draft pick this season and are quite pleased to, potentially, acquire a pick in what is expected to be a pretty deep draft.”

Jefferson, 31, has appeared in 41 games (all starts) with the Spurs this season, averaging 9.2 points and 3.5 rebounds in 28.5 minutes. The 6’7” forward has played for three NBA teams (New Jersey, Milwaukee and San Antonio) during his 10-year NBA career, including the last three-plus years in San Antonio. Originally drafted by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft (#13 overall), Jefferson finished second in NBA Rookie of the Year balloting in 2002 and was a member of the 2004 USA Olympic Team (Athens, Greece). He has averaged double figures in scoring in each of his 10 NBA seasons with the exception of his rookie campaign (9.4), highlighted by a career-high 22.6 points per game during the 2007-08 season. Last season, the Los Angeles native started 81 games for the Spurs (11.0 points and 3.8 rebounds) and ranked fourth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.440). Overall, Jefferson has appeared in 774 career NBA games, averaging 16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He has also appeared in 94 career playoff games, including back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals with the New Jersey Nets in 2002 and 2003.

Ford, 28, has appeared in 14 games for the Spurs this season, averaging 3.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 13.6 minutes. Earlier this week, he announced that he planned to take an indefinite leave of absence from basketball activities. Originally selected in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks (#8 overall), Ford has suffered a series of neck and spine injuries during his eight-year NBA career, most recently on March 7 vs. New York, and is contemplating retirement. He has appeared in 429 career NBA games, averaging 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

The Portland Trail Blazers have made the decision to part ways with Nate McMillan, it was announced today by Team President Larry Miller. McMillan will no longer serve as Portland’s head coach. Assistant Coach Kaleb Canales has been named interim head coach.

“Clearly the season to this point has not gone the way we had hoped it would and after talking with Nate we decided it was best to part ways,” said Miller. “I want to personally acknowledge and thank Nate for his many contributions to this franchise and wish him nothing but the best for the future.”

In six-plus seasons with Portland from 2005-12, McMillan guided the Trail Blazers to a 266-269 (.497) mark. Portland’s second-longest tenured head coach in team history, McMillan ranks third among all-time Trail Blazers head coaches with 266 wins, trailing only Jack Ramsay and Rick Adelman.

McMillan led the Trail Blazers to the postseason in each of the last three seasons (2009-11), marking Portland’s first run of three consecutive playoff appearances since 2001-03. The Trail Blazers shared the Northwest Division crown with Denver in 2008-09 after posting a 54-28 record, McMillan’s best as a coach.

After taking over as Trail Blazers head coach in 2005, McMillan became just the second coach in NBA history to improve a team by nine wins or more in three straight seasons when Portland increased its win total by 33 games between 2005-06 and 2008-09.

McMillan is one of only two Portland coaches to be named Western Conference Coach of the Month three times (Adelman). He earned the honor in December 2007, April 2009 and April 2011.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired the Los Angeles Lakers’ first round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft (lottery-protected) and forwards Jason Kapono and Luke Walton from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and guard/forward Christian Eyenga. Additionally, the Cavaliers received the right to swap their least favorable first round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft with the Lakers (Please note: the Cavaliers currently own their own first round pick and Miami’s) and cash considerations.

“We want to thank Ramon and Christian for their hard work and contributions here. Ramon is a true pro and approached his job in a way that showed that every day. Christian grew a great deal during his time here and worked very hard on his game. We wish both of them the very best,” said Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant. “Our primary focus continues to center on building this team with our young core and, most importantly, through the draft as we develop a very talented group that can play and succeed together for many years to come.”

Sessions, a four-year NBA veteran out of the University of Nevada, is averaging 10.5 points and 5.2 assists per game this season. The 6-3 guard was originally selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round (56th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft and played for the Bucks and the Timberwolves before being traded to the Cavaliers in the summer of 2010. He currently owns career averages of 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 300 games.

Eyenga, the 30th overall pick by Cleveland in the 2009 NBA Draft, has played in six games this season averaging 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 13.8 minutes. The 6-7 forward played in 44 games as a rookie with the Cavaliers averaging 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 21.5 minutes. For his career, the 22-year old from the Congo has posted averages of 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.4 minutes.

Kapono, 31, is averaging 2.0 points on .382 shooting and 0.5 rebounds in 9.9 minutes per game in 27 games this season. He was originally drafted by the Cavaliers in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft (31st overall). He has career averages of 6.7 points on .442 shooting and 1.7 rebounds in 509 games (87 starts).

Walton, also 31, is averaging 1.3 points on .429 shooting and 1.6 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game in nine games during the 2011-12 season. Also an eight-year veteran drafted in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft (32nd overall), Walton has career averages of 4.9 points on .433 shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 17.3 minutes per game in 493 games (138 starts).

The Golden State Warriors have acquired a Second Round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft from the Atlanta Hawks, in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced today. The Warriors will receive the lower of two Second Round picks, either the Hawks’ pick or the Phoenix Suns’ pick (which is currently owned by the Hawks from a previous transaction).

“We’ve had multiple discussions about acquiring additional draft picks and we will continue to pursue other opportunities as we approach the end of June,” said General Manager Larry Riley. “Ownership has displayed a continued willingness to invest financial resources in the draft and, as this indicates, we will explore any opportunities that will enable us to acquire additional assets.”

In addition to the Second Round pick acquired today, the Warriors also own the New Jersey Nets’ pick in the Second Round of this June’s draft. Golden State’s own Second Round pick for the upcoming draft was traded to the New York Knicks as part of the David Lee trade and is currently owned by the Denver Nuggets.

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have traded guard Leandro Barbosa to the Indiana Pacers for a 2012 second-round draft pick and cash considerations.

“It’s great to have Leandro join our team,” said President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He gives us added depth and scoring off the bench and will help us as we make our run to the playoffs.”

“This is another move being made with the future in mind,” said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. “It’s difficult to let a player like Leandro go, but this trade further underscores our plan of maximizing salary cap flexibility, acquiring assets and developing our young players.

“Leandro has unique and special ability as a basketball player, but he’s an even better person away from the game. I’m happy for him to get the opportunity to join a playoff team as he heads into free agency.”

Barbosa averaged 12.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 23.4 minutes in 100 outings with the Raptors. He led the bench in scoring in 60 of those 100 appearances. In 42 games this season, Barbosa averaged 12.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 22.4 minutes.

The nine-year NBA veteran was acquired by Toronto, along with centre Dwayne Jones, on July 14, 2010 in exchange for forward Hedo Turkoglu.

The roster now stands at 14 players heading into Friday’s game at Memphis (Sportsnet ONE/Sportsnet’s 590 The FAN).

Mike D’Antoni told interim Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald in a meeting before Wednesday’s morning shootaround he didn’t feel he could “positively affect the team’’ anymore.

More to the point, D’Antoni no longer felt he could “positively affect’’ Carmelo Anthony to buy into his speedball system and being a team player, according to sources.

On the day The Post reported Anthony wanted to be traded by Thursday’s NBA deadline unless he had assurances D’Antoni would not be around next season, the Knicks coach made it easy for Anthony.

D’Antoni quit, but only after asking owner James Dolan if the team would consider trading Anthony. The answer was no.

A month after Jeremy Lin became a global phenomenon under D’Antoni’s watch, the Knicks went from Linsanity to insanity, as D’Antoni resigned because of his conflict with Anthony, whose return from injury sent the Knicks into a 2-8 spiral and 18-24 record.

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has acquired guard/forward Sam Young from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the rights to Ricky Sanchez. The Sixers acquired Sanchez’s rights from Denver, along with Reggie Evans, in exchange for Steven Hunter and Bobby Jones on Sept. 10, 2007.

“We feel Sam’s overall skill set can be a valuable asset to our team and he adds to our depth at two positions,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said.

Young (6-6, 220) was originally the 36th overall pick by Memphis in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. In 179 games with 49 starts for the Grizzlies, Young has averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game while shooting 45.5% from the floor, 24.3% from 3-point range and 77.6% from the line.

Last season, Young appeared in 78 games with 46 starts for Memphis, averaging 7.3 points on 47.2% shooting and had more steals (68) than turnovers (61). The Grizzlies finished the season 29-15 after he was named a full-time starter and were 30-16 overall with him in the starting lineup. Over the final 36 games, Young averaged 10.6 points in 48.8% shooting.

The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time in team history last season, with Young appearing in all 13 games with 11 starts. He averaged 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game and had a playoff career-high 18 points in Game 5 of Memphis’ first round series vs. San Antonio.

Young spent all four seasons at Pittsburgh and finished fourth on the school’s all-time scoring list. He was one of three seniors who comprised the all-time winningest class in Pitt history. As a senior, Young was an All-Big East First Team and AP All-American Third Team selection while also making the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team.

Sanchez (6-11, 220) currently plays in Argentina for Wuber Estudiantes de Bahia Blanca, where the 24-year-old has averaged 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 42 games this season.

Originally selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round (35th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, the Guayama, Puerto Rico native also has played professionally in Puerto Rico (2001-04, 2007-11), the Continental Basketball Association (2005-06), the NBA Development League (2006-08), Venezuela (2009), Mexico (2009-11) and Spain (2011-12).